leeward
Americanadjective
noun
adverb
adjective
noun
-
the point or quarter towards which the wind blows
-
the side towards the lee
adverb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of leeward
Explanation
The adjective leeward describes an area or side of a boat that's facing away from the wind. If you move to the leeward side of your sailboat, you're shifting to the sheltered, downwind side. You're likely to hear the word leeward when you're on a boat, since wind direction is hugely important when you're sailing. You can, however, use it to describe any area that's protected from the wind, even when you're on land. Your tent might fare best if you pitch it on the leeward side of a valley, for example. The lee part of leeward comes from the Old English hleo, which means "shelter, defense, or protection."
Vocabulary lists containing leeward
The Cay
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Where the Red Fern Grows
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The Waste Land
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tammy was forecast to strengthen gradually as it moved toward the Leeward Islands this weekend and could reach hurricane strength by Saturday as it passes Barbuda and St. Martin.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 19, 2023
On Thursday evening, Lee was about 780 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic Ocean.
From BBC • Sep. 7, 2023
NextEra Energy Resources subsidiary Boulevard Associates, and Leeward Renewable Energy subsidiary Silver Star Solar picked up the remaining two parcels, with winning bids of $21 million and $2.3 million, respectively, BLM said.
From Reuters • Jun. 28, 2023
On the forecast track, the system is expected to remain well northeast of the northern Leeward Islands through early next week.
From New York Times • Jun. 22, 2023
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and caused His Majtie’s Great Seal prepared and appoynted for this and the rest of the Leeward Islands to be hereunto affixed the 3rd of November.
From Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume II (of 2) A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present day by Anonymous
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
